Meet The 2008 Olympic Mascots
How’s about a bit o’ cuteness this afternoon … with the 2008 Olympic Games underway in Beijing, China I thought it would be nice to introduce the official mascots of the 29th Olympic Games. This year, a collection of 5 mascots collectively called Fuwa will serve as the messengers of peace, sportsmanship and goodwill to all the children of the world. Here are pics and an overall description of the 5 mascots that make up Fuwa — Nini, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying and Beibei:
Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace — and good wishes from China — to children all over the world. Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China’s most popular animals — the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow — and the Olympic Flame. Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name — a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow. When you put their names together — Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni — they say “Welcome to Beijing,” offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games. Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature — the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky — all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation. In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing — and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe. At the heart of their mission — and through all of their work — Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games — and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008.
Aww, this is so cute. And I love that by saying their names together you get the greeting, Welcome to Beijing — clever idea. I’m curious to know what Fuwa’s stance on human rights and environmental issues is … er, just kidding ;)
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Tags: Beibei, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Fuwa, Huanhuan, Jingjing, Nini, Yingying
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August 8th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
They’re names, if put in the right order are Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni which means Beijing welcomes you! :)
August 8th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
omg i’m sooo excited for the Olympics!!
the mascots are sooo cute!!
=]
August 8th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I have the Panda, Jingjing. My friend gave it to me several months ago. It talks in both Chinese and English saying “Welcome to Beijing in 2008!”
August 8th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
[...] Meet The 2008 Olympic Mascots – Pink is the New Blog [...]
August 8th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
[...] Meet The 2008 Olympic Mascots [...]
August 8th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
omg, adorable! i love it!
August 8th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
cute but they’re actually cursed! each fuwa doll predicted a disaster that were to happen this year and have happened.
you can research it. just google CURSE OF THE FUWA
but the chinese government has already deleted a lot of the websites circulating such superstition but there are still some sites floating around
August 8th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
The 2010 mascots look so much like them. Cute cuddle monsters!
August 9th, 2008 at 8:05 am
yep yep as s said, bei jing huan ying ni means Beijing Welcomes You. Not Welcome to Beijing (:
August 9th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Isn’t Communism adorable?
August 11th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Smashing